NEWS/MEDIA RELEASES
28 April 12
ACT welcomes federal funding for lights at Manuka
I welcome today’s announcement by the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, that the Federal Government will provide $2.5 million in funding towards the installation of broadcast quality lights at Manuka Oval.
This investment, which will be matched by the ACT Labor Government, means that Manuka Oval will be better able to cater for Australian football and cricket into the future. It also provides opportunities for the ACT to attract competitions such as the Twenty20 Big Bash and AFL night matches.
Major sporting events not only provide great entertainment for the people of the local region, they also attract thousands of visitors from interstate, helping to support local tourism operators and local tourism jobs.
It is a reality of Australia’s modern sporting landscape that many matches are played at night, and without lights at Manuka Oval the ACT has been constrained in how many AFL night matches and Big Bash matches it can host.
That’s why in recent meetings I have had with Senator for the ACT and Minister for Sport Kate Lundy I have pushed the ACT’s case for lights and called for the Gillard Government to make a significant contribution towards the cost of lights at the oval.
I am very pleased to welcome today’s commitment by Federal Labor to contribute to new lights at the oval, which are a part of ACT Labor’s wider plans to reinvigorate and develop the Manuka Oval precinct.
Preliminary assessments indicate lights will cost about $5 million, with exact costs subject to detailed design work, and would consist of either four or six fixed mast light towers. Collectively, the masts will house between 500 to 600 lights and will produce lux levels that will meet high-definition broadcast standards for both the AFL and cricket.
Additionally, modern sports lighting systems are designed to minimise light spill onto surrounding residential and commercial areas. This consideration is important in the Manuka precinct and the Government is committed to ensure the community, especially those who live near the facility, have their say on lighting options. Community consultation will commence in May 2012.
28 July 2011
CANBERRA'S FESTIVAL OF CRICKET STARTS THIS SUMMER
Canberrans will enjoy a feast of national and international cricket at Manuka Oval this summer, as part of the inaugural Festival of Cricket funded by the ACT Government.
The festival which has been funded for 3 years is great news for local cricket fans and great news for local tourism businesses.
Festival of Cricket Canberra 2011 key dates:
Sunday 4 December 2011 at Manuka Oval: Ryobi One-Day Cup - RTA SpeedBlitz Blues v PKF Tasmanian Tigers
Tuesday 6 – Friday 9 December 2011 at Manuka Oval: Weet-Bix Sheffield Shield - RTA SpeedBlitz Blues v PKF Tasmanian Tigers
Sunday 18 – Wednesday 21 December 2011 at Manuka Oval: Cricket Australia’s Chairman’s XI v India
14 June 2011
FANS SPOILT FOR CHOICE IN BIG 2011-12 INTERNATIONAL SUMMER
Australian cricket fans will be treated to a huge variety of international cricket action this summer with three of the best teams in world cricket – India, New Zealand and Sri Lanka – gracing our shores.
Across up to 47 days of scheduled international cricket there will be six Vodafone Tests, two KFC T20 INTLs and the return of the ODI tri-series with at least 14 Commonwealth Bank Series encounters.
The tri-series returns to the cricket calendar in February after a four-year hiatus and will pit the top three ranked one-day international teams – Australia, India and Sri Lanka – against each other in a 12-match (plus finals) Commonwealth Bank Series.
Thursday 2 June 2011
More Blues at Manuka Oval this summer
Canberra cricket fans will love today’s announcement that the NSW Blues will play one Shield match and one 50-over match in Canberra every year for the next three years.
The ACT Government has been working with Cricket ACT and Cricket NSW to bring these games to Canberra and has provided $330,000 to make it a reality.
The sealing of the deal has also been made easier by the ACT Labor Government’s commitment to upgrade Manuka oval to better cater for AFL and first grade cricket.
Today’s announcement is not only great news for cricket fans but also great news for Canberra’s tourism industry as every elite sporting match played here provides more reasons for interstate visitors to come and stay in Canberra.
On top of all this, the extra games will help inspire more young Canberrans to take up the blade and get into cricket – helping Canberra maintain its position as the most active and healthy community in Australia.
Canberra has a proud place in Australian history as home of the PM’s XI matches.
Our local first class teams - the men’s Comets and the women of the Meteors - continue to do us proud every time they take the field.
These Shield and 50-overs matches will help further increase Canberra’s standing as the sporting capital of Australia.
I look forward to welcoming the Blues to Canberra this December as part of an exciting summer of cricket here in the capital.
Ends
Monday 25 October 2010
Sparks will fly at the 2011 Prime Minister's XI
Manuka Oval will be buzzing with excitement on Monday January 10, 2011 as Australia’s traditional rivals, the English cricket team, return to Canberra to take on the Prime Minister’s XI and fight to reclaim the title after their loss to the Prime Minister’s side in 2006.
Tickets are now on sale for this exciting match which will see our Prime Minister’s side made up of the best up-and-comers on the Australian cricket scene as well as past and current high-profile players from our world-class national side.
All punters are encouraged to get their tickets early this year with the match set to be a sell out.
2011 tickets prices are very reasonable with entry set at the same price as the last PM’s XI V England match in Canberra in 2006.
In 2011 a well-priced family ticket has also been introduced. Two adults and two children or one adult and three children can sit in the covered upper bay for $150, the uncovered upper bay for $95, or the lower bay for $80.
Corporate hospitality packages are also available for the PM’s XI through Earlybird Marketing and Events on 6126 5900. A corporate hospitality package is a great way for your business to be seen at the iconic social and sporting event of summer in Canberra.
Tickets are available now from Ticketek on 132 849.
Visit www.theearlybird.com.au/pmsxi for further information.
Tuesday 28 September 2010
'ACT4GWS' bid in jeopardy.
'ACT4GWS', Canberra's bid to partner with the AFL's newest franchise, Team GWS, is in jeopardy with the membership pledge number still well short of its 5,000 target.
Following a ring around to all membership pledge book holders, the bid team's estimate is that they have secured approximately 4,000 pledges, 1000 short of the target.
By falling short of the 5,000 pledge mark, the 'ACT4GWS' team will now present their bid for partnership to the board of GWS in Sydney on October 14, effectively extending the membership pledge period by two weeks.
If the 'ACT4GWS' campaign secures 5,000 pledges, Team GWS will secure 40 games of AFL over the next ten years, a board position for someone from Canberra on the GWS board, continued investment in local talent academies', the commitment to play in a Canberra jersey when the team plays in Manuka, the establishment of a Summer training camp, community camps and the commitment to field a team in the Canberra competition for 2010.
An offer this good to become part of the AFL may never come again, help secure the future of AFL in Canberra.
We have until 14 October to secure the last 1,000 pledges. It's time to act 4 GWS. If everyone who has pledges secure just one more pledge, the target will be reached.
Pledges are $50 per person or $100 for a family. Go to www.ACT4GWS.com.au to pledge your support.
Pledge books are available by contacting Stephanie Tooth on 6228 0353 or Stephanie.Tooth@aflnswact.com.au
Thursday 26 August 2010
Representative Cricket Fixtures Released
The ACT Meteors will play all of their home games this season
before Christmas.
Cricket Australia has released the 2010-11 domestic fixture list
including the draws for the ACT Meteors and ACT Comets.
After a wonderful debut season in the WNCL which saw the Meteors
team finish third, the team will be looking to continue strong form at
Manuka Oval.
The team won four out of seven at home during 2009-10 which
included a victory against reigning WNCL champions NSW Breakers. Read more..
Wednesday 3 February 2010
PM'S XI HITS WASTE FOR SIX
Manuka Oval will become more environmentally friendly starting at tomorrow’s Prime Minister’s XI, Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Water, Simon Corbell announced today while launching a new recycling program.
“I am pleased today to announce the ACT Government’s business recycling program. This program will go a long way to help us reach the goal of recycling at least 50% of the waste produced at tomorrow’s match,” Mr Corbell said.
“The PM’s XI match in 2009 produced more than 18,000 litres in waste with most heading straight to landfill. This new strategy will potentially save 9,000 litres of rubbish from going into landfill.” Read more..
Monday 4 January 2010
REMOVAL OF HAZARDOUS TREES AT MANUKA OVAL
Territory and Municipal Services today announced the urgent removal of hazardous trees at Manuka Oval.
“Territory Venues and Events (TVE) have undertaken a tree hazard assessment for all trees at Manuka Oval, as a result 22 trees have been identified as hazardous and requiring removal,“ said Mr James Kiwi. Events and Operations Manager, TVE.
Read more..
Friday 30th October 2009
BRISBANE LIONS, SYDNEY SWANS AND WESTERN BULLDOGS TO COLLIDE IN CANBERRA
Top level AFL will return to the Nation’s Capital next season with the announcements of both the NAB Cup draw and the 2010 Toyota AFL Premiership Season this week.
On February 14, 2010, Canberra’s AFL Community will see 2009 final series contenders the Western Bulldogs go head to head with the Brisbane Lions in their first pre season game of the season for the NAB Cup at Manuka Oval. Following this, the Western Bulldogs will return to Manuka to take on the Sydney Swans on Saturday 8 May in Round eight of the 2010 AFL Toyota Premiership Season.
Welcoming this week’s Draw announcements was Minister Andrew Barr, ACT Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation. Read more...
Tuesday 27th October 2009
ACT METEORS TEAM ANNOUNCED TO TACKLE SCORPIONS
Cricket ACT is pleased to announce the ACT Meteors team to play in a series of three matches in the Women’s National Cricket League against the South Australian Scorpions beginning this Friday at Manuka Oval.
After a wonderful debut match last Friday against Tasmania Roar, The Meteors will play a twenty/20 and two one day matches from Friday through to Sunday at Manuka Oval.
The ACT Meteors will have an unchanged line up to take on South Australia after their demolition win against Tasmania. ACT Meteors Captain Kris Britt, fast bowler Leanne Davis and all rounder Amy Jason -Jones will be looking to impress against the Scorpions. All three players played last year for South Australia in the Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) and will be looking to get some victories against their old team mates. Read more...
Monday 7th September 2009
EXTRA TIME DECIDES GRAND FINALISTS
After a one goal difference in the AFL Canberra Labor Club Division 1 Grand Final on Saturday, the close games continued on Sunday at RMC with the AFL Canberra Milk Junior League Preliminary Finals. In the closest game in any competition yet, the U16 Division 1 Preliminary Final finished in a draw sending the match into extra time to see who would play in Saturday’s Grand Final at Manuka Oval.
After a full match Ainslie and Eastlake were tied on 10.9.69 each sending the Preliminary Final into 10 minutes extra time to see who would take on the Belconnen Magpies in the U16 Division 1 Grand Final. Ainslie’s determination and desperation was enough to get them over the line by 8 points in extra time.
Thursday 3 September 2009
GRAND FINALS DAY THIS SATURDAY!
The AFL Canberra Labor Club Division 1 Premiership will be decided this Saturday. Belconnen and Ainslie have earned their place in this season’s decider on September 5 at Manuka Oval.
In Division 2, Queanbeyan v Eastlake and in Under 18’s, Marist v Belconnen. With five represented in this year’s Grand Final Day, a big crowd is expected.
Adult entry is $10, adult entry with AFL Canberra Record Grand Final Edition $12.
Seniors, students and children 16 years and older $5, Children under 16 $2.
Match details for this weekend are as follows:
Saturday, 5 September Division 1, 2 & Under 18s Grand Finals @ Manuka Oval
Under 18 Marist v Belconnen (9.00am)
Division 2 Queanbeyan v Eastlake (11.15am)
Division 1 Belconnen v Ainslie (2.15pm)
Friday 29th May 2009
A fair go for local footy fans
Minister for sport, Andrew Barr, said today that he will demand a fair go for Canberra Fotty Fans from the AFL in negotiations for future games in Canberra Ministerial discussions will begin this weekend. "I am meeting with Gary Buchanan, the AFL's Business Development manager for ACT and Southern NSW and Dale Holmes, the AFL's General Manager NSW/ACT before tomorrow's game at Manuka Oval and I'll be making it clear the AFL cannot take Canberra Footy fans for granted," Mr Barr said.. "We Canberrans love our AFL footy but we must get a fair go from the league." Read more...
Friday 6 February 2009
'09 fine for sport in the act
2009 will be the biggest ever year for sporting events in the capital according to Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation Andrew Barr.
Speaking today at the launch of the 2009 ACT Government Sporting Events Calendar at Stromlo Forest Park, Mr Barr said the huge number and high quality of scheduled events is great news for sports fans and for the ACT's tourism operators.
"This packed calendar of 50 major sporting events has something for every Canberra Sports fan and for sports fans from across Australia," Mr Barr said. Read More...
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FILMING
For all enquires regarding filming opportunities at Manuka Oval please contact Manuka Oval Management on 02 6228 0304 or email info@manukaoval.com.au.
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